What do You Use For a Top Coat?

[ACY Tom]

Lion, Vsmith & Joel: 

Ya just had to go there, didn't you? Mine is an ancient London Fog.

Tom

[vsmith]

For myself for my models, Krylon Matte Medium usually works best. I like Testors Dull Coat but it can have some fogging issues

[trwroute]

CandOsteam

 

Typically when painting brass models, I use Floquil (I have a large stock) flat coat and gloss coat mixtures.  I have also mixed Future with Tamiya flat coat on some plastic painting projects with success.  Lastly, I have also had success mixing PolyScale flat and gloss coats.  Besides the top coat mix, the trick to getting that satin sheen is to apply the top coat slightly wet (no runs), so that the clear coat evens out as it dries on the surface.  The same goes for getting a silky smooth color coat.

Bottom line:  It is important to mix like with like, so I do not mix lacquer-based clear coats with water-based clear coats.  Chemistries have to be compatible to avoid disasters.

BTW, a general trick I like to do when painting brass with Floquil is to add a "pinch" (determined by experience) of Floquil Crystal-Cote to the thinned paint mixture to give me a satin-like finish that is good for decaling.  Doing this saves me time by avoiding the gloss coat step.  Of course, if you use Scalecoat paint, the gloss is built-in for decaling. 

As far as the new paint lines that have been introduced in recent years (Vallejo, Tru-color, etc), I'll have to defer to those with experience using them.

Joel

 

Thanks, Joel.  I see that you, like me, like Floquil paints.  I do have a bunch of bottles but I am out of the clear finishes.  Their flat finish was by far my favorite.

I'm going to try like Mel suggested and use Tru-Color again.  We'll see what happens.  I do know one thing...I don't like water-based clear finishes.  Oil-based clears just seem to work better for me.

[CandOsteam]

trwroute

 

CandOsteam

 To get a satin finish, I mix equal parts of flat coat and gloss coat.  

 

 

 

OK, but what brand of paint do you use?

 

Typically when painting brass models, I use Floquil (I have a large stock) flat coat and gloss coat mixtures.  I have also mixed Future with Tamiya flat coat on some plastic painting projects with success.  Lastly, I have also had success mixing PolyScale flat and gloss coats.  Besides the top coat mix, the trick to getting that satin sheen is to apply the top coat slightly wet (no runs), so that the clear coat evens out as it dries on the surface.  The same goes for getting a silky smooth color coat.

Bottom line:  It is important to mix like with like, so I do not mix lacquer-based clear coats with water-based clear coats.  Chemistries have to be compatible to avoid disasters.

BTW, a general trick I like to do when painting brass with Floquil is to add a "pinch" (determined by experience) of Floquil Crystal-Cote to the thinned paint mixture to give me a satin-like finish that is good for decaling.  Doing this saves me time by avoiding the gloss coat step.  Of course, if you use Scalecoat paint, the gloss is built-in for decaling. 

As far as the new paint lines that have been introduced in recent years (Vallejo, Tru-color, etc), I'll have to defer to those with experience using them.

Joel

 

[trwroute]

RR_Mel

I’ve had good results with Tru-Color, they have Satin, Flat and Gloss.  Haven’t used their Gloss but Satin and Flat have worked very good for me.

 

 

Mel

 

Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

Thanks, Mel!  I guess I need to give Tru-Color another try.

[Graffen]

I mix Future with flat acrylic clear coat from Humbrol, a mix of 9 to 1 gives a gloss satin sheen. 7 to 1 gives a more standard satin sheen which is what I use on my passenger cars.

[RR_Mel]

I’ve had good results with Tru-Color, they have Satin, Flat and Gloss.  Haven’t used their Gloss but Satin and Flat have worked very good for me.

 

 

Mel

 

Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

[trwroute]

CandOsteam

 To get a satin finish, I mix equal parts of flat coat and gloss coat.  

OK, but what brand of paint do you use?

[CandOsteam]

KisNap

Hi Everyone,

I'm finishing up some passenger cars I painted and gave them a flat finish as the top coat, but it looks a little too flat.  What do you use as a top coat when finishing your paint jobs.  I heard that Future by pledge is a good top coat.  I don't want it too look too glossy though.  Thanks for your input.

KisNap,

To get a satin finish, I mix equal parts of flat coat and gloss coat.  You can control the amount of sheen by varying the amount of one or the other. 

I also use Future, but this is very glossy.  I only use Future before applying decals.  It is acrylic based and goes on very nicely with an airbrush.  I clean up my airbrush and brushes with ammonia from the grocery store.

I prefer a bit of shine on my steam locomotives, so I always mix my own top coat to get just what I want.

Joel

P.S.  Unlike my models, my "top coat" varies with the seasons.  Couldn't resist!

 

[trwroute]

This is a really good question.  Floquil Flat Finish was my choice for 30+ years. Loved the stuff.  Since it is no longer around, I have tried Model Masters Acrylic flat and semi-gloss (and mixtures of the two), TruColor flat, Testor's dull-cote and gloss-cote (and mixtures of the two), Testor's rattle cans, Model Flex flat and gloss, Vallejo acrylic clear.  I cannot find one that I like.  I want the old Floquil back!

I have painted for numerous modelers and hobby shops over the years.  I am glad that I have pretty much stopped, mainly because I can't find a clear coat that I like.  But, I do still have the things I want to paint for myself.  This has led to several models being put back on the shelf.

Not all change is good...

[BroadwayLion]

Here is me with my top coat.

Clearly the picture is more than 50 years old.

 

RAOR

[MisterBeasley]

I use Krylon clear satin finish spray from the hardware store.  I've also got cans of gloss and flat.  The satin finish gives me the best "like new" look.  For freight cars, I go with flat, but my passenger fleet needs to look a bit healthier.

[ricktrains4824]

I used to use Testor's Dullcote, but have switched to Badger's version, using either flat or satin as final, gloss prior to decals. (It's acrylic based, and can be airbrushed on.)

[KisNap]

Hi Everyone,

I'm finishing up some passenger cars I painted and gave them a flat finish as the top coat, but it looks a little too flat.  What do you use as a top coat when finishing your paint jobs.  I heard that Future by pledge is a good top coat.  I don't want it too look too glossy though.  Thanks for your input.